BKbroiler

I've been under my 77 changing the differential and since I had the spare tire carrier down, I was looking at the gas tank. I'm sure it is the original but it looks perfect. Where there is no overspray on it, the surface is still rust free. Can I assume it looks this good in places I can't see?

Z-man

If there's no chemical/rust damage, I can't think of any reason why they wouldn't last forever... :)

rollavette71

I wouldn't assume it is rust free. You really need to get a look under the straps. You could loosen the straps and perhaps take a peek without having to remove the tank.

You should also check/replace the rubber hoses. And there is a cork gasket (at least on some years) on top of the tank between the filler neck and tank that frequently rots away - ask me how I know! :D This gasket can be changed without dropping the tank, though - you can get to it from above through the fuel fill lid. That would be a good time to check behind the (loosened) straps above the tank for rust.

Good luck - and don't mess around with gas!

Hank

Solid LT1

There is and interesting fact about the 76 on up C3 fuel tanks, they have a rubber bladder inside making them a fuel cell. I don't have any idea how long this bladder material will last but, in race cars they want it changed out every 5 years (I also don't think they ever forsaw the use of Ethanol?Alcohol in fuels that we now have in use.) I think you can thank the Ford Pinto for your "racy" fuel cell (Heh Heh.)

OHSIXX

I hate to think about my gas tank. I am pretty sure it is the original, so it is coming up on 33 years of service. Maybe I will get to it one of these days. :skep:


[Modified by OHSIXX, 3:13 PM 4/5/2004]

Vette-4-Life

I just completed removing/replacing the gas tank on my 80. It had a little rust where the straps are, along the seam, and where the bottom rested against the supports. Polished it up and painted with por15. The original build sheet was mostly intact but could not be saved other than by digital pictures, it just disintegrated upon contact.

The inside of the tank looked like hard plastic, the only rubber i saw was the gasket. i also wiped out the inside as best as i could and even stuck a vacuum in there to suck out all the small nasties.